Can someone explain show shoes to me?

I would like to know about all the different types of shoes/pads/whatever is used in Halter, CEP, EP specifically.
How much do they weigh? What exactly are they? I recall there is a weight limit for shoes, what is it?

Those kinds of questions!

Hi,
I don't believe that there are any specific pounds and ounces weight limits anymore. The weight is only restricted by the legal dimensions of the shoe. The show stewards have a metal template that they carry around. It has measurements for shoe thickness and width. As long as the shoe fits within the cutout then that measurement falls within legal bounds. They did this because some of the half arabs have such a large foot (especially some of the warmblood crosses) that it was nearly impossible to build a shoe for them that would stay weight legal. I think that there is a cutout for pad thickness as well, but the dodge on pad size is to extend them somewhat beyond the edge of the foot. And to cap it all off, to keep the mess on, bands are now legal. The biggest shoes are seen on the english type horses...unfortunately this also extends to many of the MR hunters as well. The idea being that the heavier, chunkier sets accentuate movement. (And yes, I am aware that there are trainers out there that will swear that this is not true...but I was a trainer at one time too.) Halter horses are generally shown in a standard shoe with maybe just one pad as are most western pleasure horses. Reining horses are allowed to be shown in sliding plates (a wide slick shoe).

Does this help - or have I missed the point completely?

No, thank you, that helps a lot!!

When did they throw out the restrictions?! They should have just made weight restrictions on shoes for the breed of the horse; PBs one thing, HAs another, etc. Taking the restrictions off completely is just opening things up to become psychotic..
I'm disappointed bands are legal now - it makes me sick seeing all these horses in the AHT weighed down with everything short of anchors. Nearly as bad as how most of the TWH are shod now..
Okay okay, sorry, I'll let that go now. Touchy subject for me! It really makes my blood boil.

Anyway, do you know what the dimensions are?
Another question, do these horses wear those shoes 24/7 or are they pulled after shows when there is a good break until the next one?
I've gotta look into getting my halter mare shod for Scottsdale

I will try to look up the dimensions later today.

Some of the horses do wear them 24/7 for a variety of reasons. Some get them pulled between show seasons. It depends on the condition of the horse's feet and the varied reasons that the shoes were applied in the first place. Some people think that the horse gets used to them and so only apply them right before a show so that the horse moves higher with the unaccustomed bulk, others think that the horse needs to wear them 24/7 for the conditioning effects of lugging them around.

I understand about the touchy parts - with a little provocation, I could go on a roll as well. There are things that are kind of de rigeur to win now that I just cannot/will not do - it's not worth it. Just do what is best for your horse, take pride in what you do, and you will both win irregardless of the opinions of others.

Okay, here we go....the shoes cannot be more than 3/8" thick or more than 1 1/8" wide. Rubber, aluminium, plastic, or other non-metallic shoes are exempt from that rule. Toes for PBs cannot exceed 4 1/2", HA toes cannot exceed 5". Pads of about any mix are allowed as long as the toe length is not exceeded. Bands can be attached to the shoe or the pads. Materials for shock absorbtion are allowed between the foot and pad as long as they are not included or altered to add additional weight.

The shoeing rules are wide open for abuse within the rules. The complete rule can be found in the USEF rulebook in the Arab section.

Why are pads used at all?
I understand pads to protect the sole from injury (rocks, glass, etc on the trail) or to hold medication in place. (1970's to hold weights in place on gaited horse with bands) But on a horse that is ridden in a dirt arena come on.

You can't nail a toe weighted shoe directly to the foot and run the risk of it pulling without taking a chunk of foot if you don't have the pads. And the toes that say 4.5" include shoes and pads as far as I recall. I am fortunate enough to have an excellent farrier who knows what needs to be done, and keep everything legal. That's the best advice I can give anyone is to make sure that the farrier knows shoeing for shows. It's specialized, and not any farrier can come and just slap on toe weights.

Pads are also used to change foot angles...say if your horse tended to run one heel under, some would put an angled pad under that foot to make the angles match for both feet. Some use angled pads for therapy, as in a naviculared horse is usually more comfortable with a raised heel. Some also feel that a higher angle to the feet = higher rounder motion, therefore, the build up both front feet for the angle. Others use pads to increase weight. Some use heels as long as legally (or not) possible to get the foot down faster, thinking the faster down = the faster up. Some add, legally, bars across the bottom of the shoe, again for more weight and supposedly more action.

Yup! Couldn't have said it better myself! They're meant to enhance what your horse already does naturally. Slapping a heavy shoe onto something that doesn't move naturally like and English horse will not make that horse an EP moving horse.

I'm sorry but I'm not into enhancing my horses natural movement. Natural movement is what I like to see. Standard shoe weight, no clips, and careful management of healthy hoof care is what does the trick for me. My horses hold their shoes for 8 weeks running 16/7 hours on pasture they are so healthy. We have sand and clay covered by coastal grass and mesquite trees.

If you have a horse that forges, do you square their hind toes and shorten their stride, or let them continue to hit themselves until they're bleeding or pulling shoes? OR a horse that hits in front? Same difference to me. You are changing their way of going. My gelding went to Scottsdale in halter, had a heavier shoe on with pads, and was turned out overnight, with bellboots. Also, I show Saddlebreds. They are the guiltiest perhaps of overshoeing, but all the Saddlebreds I show have show shoes during show season, including special shoeing for my gaited horse, and they all get turnout here in North Houston.

All on their natural shoulder / stifle angles. I must be lucky. Don't have to square my horses rear feet. They don't over reach or forge or paddle foot. No contracted heels. They move collected under saddle when asked and when loss they are full of action and movement. 4 1/2" toes on all.
5 horses (3 mares & 2 geldings) ranging from ages 5 to 20 years old running 8 1/2 acres with pasture neighbors to race. TB/QH (off the race track) we got last year has one front hoof that is smaller than her other but over the last year, we have already gotten her in to the same size shoe on both feet. By next year I expect them to match. The 5 y-o is my arabian. All others are QH or QH/TB cross or Paint cross.

tjmitcham wrote:

I'm sorry but I'm not into enhancing my horses natural movement. Natural movement is what I like to see. Standard shoe weight, no clips, and careful management of healthy hoof care is what does the trick for me. My horses hold their shoes for 8 weeks running 16/7 hours on pasture they are so healthy. We have sand and clay covered by coastal grass and mesquite trees.

Enhancing a horse's natural movement (within the rules) is no different than a track star wearing spikes when they run, instead of dress shoes. Our horses are athletes and I see nothing wrong with them being shod in a manner that allows them to maximize their abilities. Basketball players, football players, wrestlers, track runners, etc, etc, etc, all wear the appropriate shoe for the event.

That is great for anyone that wants to add action to what GOD gave their horses. That is not for me.

All natural is my way. Less is better.